Content reviewed October 23, 2026
The short answer
Start with a scan or an evenly lit photo of the print. Restoration aims to reduce scratches, fading and small damage while retaining the photograph’s existing color or monochrome character. Compare the before-and-after still image, especially faces and missing details, before downloading. When restoration is available, sign in for up to 3 restorations per UTC day and check the remaining allowance in the tool. A video is optional: explicitly choose the Hit the Road Dude effect, complete its required photos and review its separate settings and credit quote. Nothing is converted to a video or generated automatically.
Page notes and guidance
- — Compare faces and repaired details with the original, check the daily allowance and choose an optional current effect explicitly. Still-photo restoration and video creation are separate tasks.
Old photo restoration after processing
Every family has them: a wedding picture gone yellow, a grandparent's portrait with a crease across the face, a box of black-and-white snapshots nobody has looked at in years. Restoring old photos used to mean a scanner, hours of retouching or paying a studio per picture. Here the AI photo restoration does it from one photo: upload it and start restoration. The tool aims to repair damage while retaining existing color or monochrome character; inspect the result rather than assuming every detail has been recovered.
How to restore old photos free
- Add the old photo. A digital copy, or a phone picture of the print taken flat, in daylight, without flash.
- Tap Restore photo. Sign in with an available option and submit once. Wait for confirmed completion; processing time varies. Check an unresolved task before submitting again.
- Compare and download. Use the before-and-after comparison, inspect faces and repaired details, then download subject to the displayed entitlement. When restoration is available, sign in for up to 3 free restorations per UTC day; check the remaining allowance in the tool.
What the AI photo restoration fixes
- Damage: scratches, cracks, creases, dust, stains and small tears.
- Age: fading, a yellow or sepia cast, washed-out contrast.
- Softness: blur and grain, with the result checked against the original rather than assuming recovered facial detail is exact.
- Color or monochrome: the restoration aims to retain existing colors and keep monochrome photos monochrome; it is not a colorization option.
- What to verify: faces, expressions, poses and clothes. Preservation is a generation aim; compare these details with the original and keep the source photo.
After restoring: choose an optional current video effect
The restored result is a still image. Under the result, explicitly choose the Hit the Road Dude effect only if you want a separate video. Use the restored image when it matches that effect’s person or pet requirements; otherwise choose a suitable photo. Selecting an effect prepares the video tool and does not submit a generation:
- Hit the Road Dude — One subject at the open driver’s window of a white pickup: a land dispute, a dismissive wave and a final stare.
Video creation has its own model, resolution, duration, format and complete credit quote. The main effect requires one clear subject photo. Review the quote and submit separately; no effect is selected by default and no video starts automatically. Restoration uses its daily allowance rather than video credits.
Tips for restoring old photos
- Photograph the print well. Flat, in daylight, straight from above, no flash, no glare: the restoration can only work with what the camera sees.
- Match the photo to the effect. Use a clear person or pet photo as required. Select the matching person or pet mode for your one subject.
- Review before choosing a video. Check the restored face and repaired details first. A clearer input can provide a better visual reference, but does not guarantee a more lifelike video.
- Keep the original. The restored copy is a new file; your original photo is not changed.
Explore current video methods
Read the input requirements for Hit the Road Dude. Opening the effect page does not generate a video.